Sweet Dreams to Nightmares Chapter 19
Reunion.
***
Heather: I'm glad you did! :)
Faith K: haha aw I didn't mean to make you cry. But she's not gone completely. And yeah, I really couldn't find a 15/16 year old girl that came close to resembling her. That was the closest thing so I just went with it. And if you do write about having powers that would be awesome! I'd check it out! :) Do you write by the way? And no I really didn't check out sucker punch. I wanted too but everyone I knew advised me not to because it was a waste of money haha so I avoided it. Anyway here's a chapter. Enjoy!
***
Hope led to perseverance. Perseverance led to strength. Strength led to determination. Each guided Julia down her chosen path. Nothing could hinder her. She was far too close. She could almost breathe in her triumph. The mere thought of her flight through the masked tunnels under the Everendai city seemed almost poetic, ironic. Just like how the church's wretched kind penetrated her home like poisonous vapor she would sneak in, an agent of retribution, a ghost of her family's honorable name, and return their crippling blow. She would topple everything until nothing, no one, was left standing. She would risk it all. There was nothing to lose, nothing to live for.
Her speed quickened with Vincent by her side matching her step for step, inch for inch. Ever since Charlotta's departure no words had been shared amongst the two. It was as if none was needed. Vincent merely followed along, performing tasks before Julia could even instruct her as if she could read her mind. She had even picked up the habit of sticking close to Julia's side as if her existence were fleeting, threatening to disappear in an instant. Julia didn't question it. In fact she kind of found comfort in it, something that she wouldn't allow to remain. If anything were to happen...if something did happen...she spurned the thought away. Instead, she focused on Sonya's words that echoed in the back of her mind as she gripped onto the small, mahogany, box in the palm of her hand.
"If you take this underground channel it should lead you straight under the Everendai Church. Take this compass as well but be careful. The church has its own barrier against outside magic so you can be easily detected. When using this compass it will help you get you there faster. And take these pendants as well. I wish you luck."
Under command of Sonya's powerful aid the walls before them began to shift. The rumbling of the earth almost sounded like a steady pulse from a living being. The path before them snaked to the left and right. A thick wall of earth plunged down and blocked the path to the right. Julia and Vincent raced down the new pathway, ready for whatever waited for them at the end.
***
The hollow, empty, sound of the arctic wind howled in Charlotta's ear. The crisp, clean air cut against her lungs like razors. The snow crunch under the weight of each step she took, engulfing her feet in a deep blanket. She crouched against the wall of the alleyway entrance. Since the last time she had reached the Everendai city with Julia and Vincent the entire atmosphere of wasteland had changed. Somehow the snow seemed to purify the putrid dishevelment of the once illustrious city. The snow sparkled with the deepest blues and the fairest whites than she had ever laid eyes upon. If one weren't careful one could actually get lost in the rolling, soft hills of white. The landscape was haunting in itself. Shattered windows, crumbled walls, and ruinous buildings created a conundrum of mystery, casting an almost nostalgic effect on a backdrop of secrets unknown. It baffled Charlotta how such beauty could be birthed from such a villainous magic. She knew what awaited her in the snowy dunes. She understood the true character of the snow that pulsated beneath her feet. The minute she set foot out of Sonya's humble home she was marked, tracked, by the countless enemies the lurked in the shadows. Time was not on her side. The longer she remained the more advantageous it became for her adversaries.
She lifted her eyes to the sky, watching the billowing clouds that danced before the great, full moon. Shadows cast themselves about her face. The earth was on the brink of blacking out from the shield of clouds. There was no hope. Now, she was reduced to relying on the force of the moon as a catalyst for her transformations and her odds at that seemed slim to none. Her task of freeing her people seemed almost impossible. But she knew long ago not to rely on her true form. Her father had been adamant about teaching her not to become reliant on her transformations. A sign of a weak warrior was one who put all their faith in only one of their abilities, he had taught her. Speed, agility, guile, stamina, and strength. All were key components to carry in any arsenal on the battlefield. The enemy spared no one. There was no such thing as a fair fight. If they see a weakness they will latch onto it and execute you. She was prepared. She had mastered all under his instruction and she was more than ready.
Charlotta closed her eyes. She cleared her mind of all uncertainty and focused on her task at hand. There was no room for error. There would be no acceptance of failure. She would restore what was lost. For them she would take back what was stolen. "Mother, Father..." she uttered in a steady, serene voice. "...even from your graves you watch over me. This heavenly, accursed, night shall grant me fair advantage over my jinxed brethren. Do not fret, for I shall unleash salvation on all that my power allows me to. On the others that I do not succeed in saving..." she stopped herself. She did not want to embrace the notion fully but knew there was a great possibility. She could not prevent herself from seeing images of Lucas' mangled body. She bit her lip and quickly regained her composure. "...please forgive me."
She opened her eyes. With great delicacy she eased herself close to the edge of the alleyway opening and peeked around the corner. Nothing had stirred. The still silence continued to trickle about her. She dug her hand deep into the snow and took up as much as possible. With her eyes still in the distance she proceeded to construct a tight ball. She wadded it together, compressing it until it was hard. If anything was waiting for her she would draw them out, attacking them before they could slay her. She threw the ball across the street, aiming for wooden boards across the way. The ball on impact broke the boards, sending them clattering to the ground. Her hand immediately clasped onto the hilt of her sword on her back. She waited for something to stir, for anything to move...none occurred.
She would have to risk leaving her hideaway. If that wasn't enough to draw them out she would just have to use herself as bait. She rose to her feet and dashed out of the alleyway into the open street. The only sound that reverberated about her was the crunching steps of her flight. Her eyes darted back and forth about her, ready and waiting for anything that might attack. There was no response. When she thought her plan had failed she felt herself slow in her tracks, a move she soon regretted. She could feel a presence loom over her, dropping at a great speed. Before its impact she back flipped to safety, barely missing an attack from one of her brethren. The werewolf began a deranged barrage of attacks.
Each blow she dodged until she was able to escape and race back towards the alleyway. She entered the alley and came to an abrupt stop. She turned and faced the alley entrance more than prepared to take on the werewolf. Instantaneously, the werewolf slid before the opening, blocking the exit. She crouched down, ready for whatever move the werewolf would throw her way. Her eyes settled on the jewel lodged in its chest. Her target was only a few feet away. As she prepared to make her move her surroundings began to darken. Sinister growls rumbled from up above. Charlotta lifted her eyes to the rooftops, meeting the red eyes and the eerie emerald glow from her brethren above. Slowly she moved to back away but stopped herself as they dropped down behind her, blocking her on all sides.
***
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Vincent couldn't help but find the entire situation to be completely and utterly, mind numbingly stupid. How could both Julia and Charlotta agree on splitting up? How could they fathom achieving any of their goals if they kept insisting on doing it all on their own? Strength is in numbers. A lone warrior would most assuredly fall when outnumbered. Two is better than one. All were such childish, basic, elementary teachings that even the most base of creatures could understand. She felt like punching something, like dragging Julia back kicking and screaming to that witch's hovel and going after Charlotta. Instead she just pounded all of her frustrations against the watery pavement. The faster she ran and the harder she pushed her rage subsided little by little, slowly, so slowly that it seemed as if peace would never come. At least she could stay by Julia's side. At least she could make sure one of them didn't wind up doing anything else idiotic. She would make sure she would survive this. And once everything was restored she would take a long vacation while keeping a close and watchful eye on Julia.
The pathway before them seemed to stretch endlessly. As much as Vincent enjoyed sprinting to their enemies stronghold to finally get this over with once and for all she hated the distance. The church couldn't be that far away. As she cursed the length of the tunnel a feeling suddenly took hold of her. Something that she hadn't felt in what seemed to be ages. It made her stop dead in her tracks and peer down a darkened channel to her right. Something was coming. It was coming and Vincent didn't think she could handle dealing with it now. Julia was catching up to her. She was only a few inches behind. Hopefully she would stop. It was careening straight towards Vincent and she wanted to take the brunt of whatever it was flying towards them. Instead Julia shot directly in front of her, her stride still strong.
"Julia look out!" Vincent shouted. As quickly as possible she tackled Julia.
As they crashed to the ground something collided overhead, pummeling the wall where they stood and sending a rain of debris upon them. The compass shot out from Julia's grasp and slid into the darkness ahead.
"What is it?" Julia shouted as she was more than ready to retaliate.
Vincent felt that she knew what it was before she would even cast her eyes upon it. She didn't want to believe it but as she turned she saw black claw-like hands retract from the wall. It was an all too familiar sight that she dreaded facing. Before she could defend herself the claws shot out in her direction, restraining her about her waist, arms, and legs. They ripped her from the ground and yanked her down the dark channel.
"Vincent!" Julia hollered at the top of her lungs. She raced after Vincent.
From about her feet the water from the channel sparked to life. It rose up before her and struck the walls. Under the force of the impact the walls gave way and caved in.
"Vincent!" Julia cried out. The passage way was blocked. There was no telling what had snatched Vincent up or where it had taken her. Her life was in danger and now they were cut off. She ran to the barricade and began to rip it apart. Yet no matter how hard and fast she dug the walls continued to cave in and block the way. She growled from frustration and decided on blowing the wall to pieces. She couldn't waste any more time. She would use her power and demolish the blockade.
"Dear Julia." The sound of Jizabel's voice suddenly resounded. Julia paused as she rested her hand on the hilt of her sword.
Julia cautiously stepped back from the wall and examined her surroundings closely. All was dark. Channels were open on either side. She gnashed her teeth remembering that she had dropped Sonya's compass. Now there was no telling how she would find her way out of the channels. They only favored witches with the key to access them.
"Come. Continue pursuing me. I've got a surprise for you." Jizabel's voice sang out.
Her voice jumped from wall to wall all about Julia. There was no telling where she stood. Julia struggled with pinning down her exact location. No matter how hard she listened, Jizabel's voice echoed as if she were merely standing next to her. And no matter how hard Julia concentrated she couldn't pick up the faintest scent of her.
"Come on! This way!"
As if under command of Jizabel's direction, a path lit up with torches down another channel. Julia gasped and pressed her back against the wall. Was this a trick? Could it be another trap set up for her and Vincent? She turned her line of sight back to the barricade and realized that there would be no rescuing Vincent. Jizabel had cleverly placed a thick sheet of ice before it. All there was to do was follow in her given direction.
"Come now, I don't have all day."
Julia stared at the wall of ice and dropped her eyes down the lit path. She would have to leave Vincent behind. The idea didn't sit well with her but it was the only option she had. And if Jizabel really did wait for her at the end of the passageway then it was all the better. She could finally end it all and easily free Vincent later. She hoped Vincent's iron clad fighting spirit would be enough to keep her alive. For now it would have to suffice. Julia gritted her teeth and reluctantly dashed down the lit pathway.
***
Charlotta's hand instinctively clutched onto the hilt of the swords on her back. She had a choice. Either she could cut them down herself, only injuring them temporarily or she could try again. She could attempt to set them free like she had tried to do with Lucas and risk ending their life. Choices raced through her mind but her time was cut short as the werewolves lunged to sink their teeth into her. She would try...she would have to try.
Charlotta clenched her teeth and released her swords. "Hold!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.
The pendant around her neck sparked to life. A flash of blue light crackled forth and engulfed them all. When the light vanished the werewolves were completely frozen stiff in their attacks. Charlotta caught her breath. She would have to force her hands to stop trembling. She couldn't risk wasting this opportunity. Peace, calm, and balance. She focused on the three elements her master had instructed her. Peace, calm, and balance. Without further delay she immediately took to extracting the jewels from their flesh. As fast as she could she plunged her fingers deep within the cavities of their flesh and ripped the jewels free. As she continued her fluid extraction some of the werewolves broke free from the incantation of the pendant and dove to attack her. With tremendous speed she extorted their jewels and forced them to the ground.
Charlotta stood strong, completely surrounded by her fallen kin. Her bated breath marked the sky in erratic puffs of smoke. Gradually her brethren began to shed their skin, reverting back to their human form. Charlotta glanced upon them all closely, searching for any sign that they had survived her extraction. The faintest rise and fall of the chest or any sign of flinching or writhing to life...she couldn't tell. The jewels that lay fallen at her feet melted the snow about her. An acute pain seared her fingertips. Quickly she unleashed the jewel in her hand. She dropped to her knees holding her wrist and examining her fingertips. Somehow the jewel was reacting differently. It seemed to continue to thrive searching for a host. Her fingertips emitted a faint glow of emerald before the color dissipated. She clutched her hand closed and crawled towards her nearest comrade.
It was a young girl who looked to be no more than fourteen years of age. Dark circles hugged the bottom of her eyes and her complexion seemed to be as pale as the snow. The jewel was sapping them of their life and they were being worn down by the constant patrol the vampires seemed to place them on. Charlotta softly removed a loose strand of hair from the girl's face. This was someone's child. This young woman belonged to someone and once roamed free behind the safety of the walls of Azreeai. Would she be able to return, Charlotta questioned to herself. Did she survive to be able to live a life with free will once more? Hesitantly Charlotta brought her hand to the young woman's neck and pressed her fingertips against her. It was slight but it still raced strong. There was a pulse.
Charlotta struggled to contain herself as she turned to her next comrade, an old man. She pressed her fingers to his neck...a pulse, slight but strong. Next, a middle aged woman, pulse slight but strong. She continued on to check them all. Each woman, man, and child alike all had a pulse that raced beneath her fingertips. Charlotta sat back on her haunches and covered her lips that spread across her face. She had rescued them. She had succeeded in rescuing them all. A tear dropped from her eye and cascaded down her cheek. Immediately she wiped it away and pushed herself to her feet. She strode to the hidden door to Sonya's hideaway and knocked hard. A moment later Julianna cracked the door open. She gazed upon Charlotta in bewilderment.
"Miss Charlotta? Are you back already?" Julianna asked.
"Julianna, please fetch me Miss Sonya." Charlotta said politely.
Julianna made to turn into the room to call upon her aunt however Sonya walked up behind her, resting her hand on the door. "You need me?" she asked more than prepared to assist her.
"Yes. My comrades have fallen and require a place for refuge. Will you please furnish them with your devout fortification?"
Sonya stumbled with shock. "Please tell me you're joking. They tried to attack us. They're our enemy."
"I comprehend your mind-set however, these are my people and I have freed them. If I leave them here they will in all likelihood be turned over again or slaughtered. I do not desire to sacrifice them thusly."
Sonya cast a weary gaze upon Charlotta. It would be an unfavorable risk if she took in her people and they decided to turn against them. But as she looked into Charlotta's absolute eyes she couldn't help but believe everything she had said. "So you're sure they aren't-"
"No they are not. I bestow you with my affirmation that they are not your foe. I have broken the bind on their judgment. If they perceive that you are human then they will not assail. We have no bitterness or rationale to put human lives in any nature of peril."
Sonya sighed and almost regretted what she would do. "Okay. Let's get them in quickly." She groaned.
Charlotta smiled upon Sonya as she crawled from out of her home and began to roll up her sleeves. Julianna happily jumped through the door and ran to assist Sonya. With as much speed as possible the three dragged all of Charlotta's comrades into the living room of Sonya's hideaway.
"You have my thanks." Charlotta sighed as she gently placed the young woman down on the couch. "However, I may need to call upon you again. I desire to embark on an endeavor to liberate them all. I will attempt to lure them back here and break their bind." She said as she strode back towards the door.
"Wait. You're going to lure them all here? An entire kingdom? In my small dwelling?" Sonya shrieked with disbelief.
"Yes. I have faith in your magic." Charlotta smiled back at her before stepping out of the home and closing the door behind her.
"I'm glad somebody does." Sonya groaned to herself as she placed her hands on her hips.
Sonya looked upon the members of the werewolf clan that lay unconscious on her floor. She knew that Charlotta spoke the truth. The werewolf tribe was always peace abiding creatures. It wasn't until recently that they bared their claws and that was only due to the fact that they were under a means of evil. If Charlotta had faith that they had been restored to their natural state then she had no choice but to take her word. Sonya rubbed her hands together and pulled her arms back. Forcefully she made a pushing motion into the room. Under her command the walls of the small home expanded giving birth to a larger space.
***
Stupid! She was absolutely stupid! Vincent cursed herself a thousand times over. She found everything to be absolutely insufferable. All it took was a moment of anarchy and with a blink of an eye she was snatched up and separated from Julia. So much for keeping a close watch on her. Vincent began to claw at her restraints. She hated being confined and with her current disposition she was annoyed with the entire situation in itself. There was no way that she would be caught off guard and killed so easily. The velocity at which the claws flew down the channel hindered her ability to gain a hard grip on the claws. All she could do was submit herself to the ride. Suddenly she collided through a wall, the hands forcing her against it. The walls crumbled apart. The claws brought her into an open room and flung her free up into the air. Vincent swung her body around, watching closely where they retracted to. She wasted little time in opening her portals in the palm of her hands. She summoned a group of black claws herself and launched them in the direction where the hands disappeared. They plummeted deep into a wall sending out an explosion of smoke and debris.
"Dear Vincent," A soft voice came from behind her. "Are you that eager to see me? I'm touched."
Vincent screamed at the top of her lungs trying to summon her strength. The claws pulled out a large chunk of the wall and she flung it across the room behind her. The wall collided in the distance sending out another explosion. Smoke filled the room and pieces of wall and glass shattered onto the floor beneath her. She landed on her feet and retracted the hands back into her portal. She stared deep into the smoke waiting for her to emerge.
"And after all that time I worked so hard to make this place just right for you." Contessa stepped out from around a pillar behind Vincent. "Sister, I'm hurt."
Vincent quickly wheeled around and faced her. She knew sooner or later she was going to have to face her dead on. She just wished it would've been later rather than sooner. She gritted her teeth and turned up her nose. Stupid. It all was so stupid. Contessa smiled a sweet smile and held out her arms lovingly.
"Come. Let us rejoice in our reunion."
"Rejoice?" Vincent snarled.
"Yes. Vincent, I haven't seen you in ages. Do you know how torturous it was not being able to see you? Come now. I'd think you'd have learned from your friend that family is everything."
"Shut up! Don't you dare talk about her!"
Contessa dropped her head apologetically and curtseyed. "Ah yes, please forgive me for it seems that I have ruffled your feathers. I'd hoped that nothing in the world would deter us from this happy reunion." she straightened back up and gazed into Vincent's scornful eyes.
"You tried to have me killed. How is being reunited with my murderer anything that needs to be celebrated?" Vincent spat.
"Alas Vincent. It seems that you haven't forgiven me yet." Contessa sighed. "What to do?"
Vincent laughed out. "Forgiven you?" she shrieked with spite.
"Vincent, let it be forgotten and cast it out of our mind. I don't want it to get in between us." Contessa strolled over to her and slipped her arms around Vincent's neck affectionately. "I love you my dear, dear, Vincent. You are my heart and soul. I don't want to lose you."
Vincent stood still with perfect caution. She cut her eyes toward Contessa and balled her hands into fists. Stupid. All of it was so stupid.
***
Julia sprinted down the channel scanning everything she passed closely. The tunnel seemed to stretch for miles and miles. For all she knew Jizabel could be leading her away from the church and into something more sinister. She clutched onto her sword and narrowed her eyes. It was just a risk she would have to face. When she finally came to believe that the tunnel would never end, she suddenly came upon a small, wooden, door worn from age and water damage. She studied the rusted ring handle and settled on yanking the door open. As the door swung open wide she stepped back and readied to pull out her sword. To her surprise nothing awaited on the other side. What lay before her was only a set of spiral, cobble-stoned, stairs that disappeared up into darkness. She glanced behind her for any sign of mischief or attack and found none. She had come this far. There was no need to turn back or doubt herself now.
She clutched her sword tightly and cautiously scaled the stairs. She seemed to scale up four flights before the stairs opened up into a narrow passageway. At the end of the passageway shone a bright beckon of light that seemed to consume her. She slowed her pace and eased through the doorway. As her eyes adjusted to the light she came to realize that she was in some sort of sanctuary. A golden, warm, light filled the space. She examined her whereabouts quickly. He found that the golden glow was cast by the many torches that lit the room. Their flame reflected off the walls that seemed to be lined with the world's finest gold. Statuettes of angels lined the bottom of the floor. Up above more statutes jutted out of the walls depicting past sovereigns, saints, and angles, all layered in levels of importance. And at the very top was an iconic painting of a haloed Jesus Christ on the ceiling giving his blessing. The hall was magnificent and unlike any ornately decorated place she had laid eyes upon. She concluded that she had entered the church walls. She had never visited this part of the church before but judging from the grandiose splendor and the obvious religious veneration she really was led to the church. She couldn't count her blessings though. For that damnable girl to lead her here willingly meant she had something up her sleeve. She couldn't let her guard down. Now she had to be on her toes more than ever.
"Finally, you've come." Jizabel entered the room and smiled. "To tell you the truth I was worried you wouldn't make it." Julia frowned and tightened her grip on her sword causing her fingers to go numb. "Why the look? I went through all that trouble to bring you here and that's what I get? How disappointing." Jizabel sighed.
Julia slowly side stepped, easing herself into the room further while scooping out a better vantage for attack. "What are you playing at?" her voice came out more composed than she had anticipated.
"I'm not playing at anything. I just wanted to give something to you for all your hard work. I mean you lost your family, had no one to turn to but your friends, who might I add, might die, and you'll be all alone once again." Jizabel rattled off with mock misery. "If you ask me I think someone up there doesn't like you." She said while pointing up to the iconic painting of Jesus Christ. "I just want to help you forget your pain."
"You were the cause of it all! Why would you want to help me now?" Julia barked.
"Because unknowns to you I really do care for you. Deep in my heart is a drowning compassion for you." Jizabel gushed while placing her hand over her heart.
"You know no compassion! You took everything away from me! You are the cause of this insufferable pain! This pain won't be quenched until I see you dead!" Julia roared across the room. Her words rang out against the walls with so much loathing and disgust that she herself didn't recognize her own voice. She felt herself trembling uncontrollably. She caught herself and told herself to breathe. Every breath she took only seemed to stir the zeal deep in her chest. The hilt of her sword began to rattle under her hold.
"Aw. It's sweet how you've thought of me. You have no idea how warm this makes me feel. I'm so ecstatic that I'll show you the surprise now."
"I don't want it." Julia spurned.
Jizabel grinned with malevolence. "But you're gonna love this. I found something for you." she sang her last sentence in a sing-song fashion. She took two slight steps to the side. Her grinned widened into a smile as she reveled in Julia's expression.
Julia's entire being went numb. All of her senses shut down. She heard her breath catch in her throat. She couldn't believe her eyes. It had to be an illusion, a mere slip of the eyes. But as she drank in the sight she couldn't bring herself to believe it. It was real. It was all real. Her heart nearly stopped in her chest. Her eyes began to burn as they opened wide with shock. Her hand went limp and slipped from her sword. It was real.
"I-Imalia." She whispered.
***
Father Randolph hurriedly grabbed the sword and stabbed Lady Trista in the shoulder. It staved her off but only for a mere second. Her overwhelming hunger prevented her from all senses of pain. She forced herself deeper into the blade and sunk her fangs cavernously into Father Randolph's shoulder. Father Randolph cried out in alarming agony as she viciously punctured his skin. He felt her nails pierce his flesh as she took hold of his arms to hold him close. With everything he had he lifted up his foot, tucked it underneath her rib cage, and kicked her away. She crashed into the door and hit the ground hard. Father Randolph pushed himself up off the ground struggling to detach his mind from the pulsating pain from his neck and arms. He sluggishly forced himself to run but found all he could manage was a slow hobble. Lady Trista quickly recovered and flipped up onto the door.
She propelled herself forth and blocked his path to the corridor for which he aimed to escape. Instantaneously she landed and swung her sharp nails for his throat. Father Randolph quickly ducked and swung his sword, slicing through her throat. Her neck fell open and blood spurted forth, gushing out onto Father Randolph's face and staining floor. The smell of it caused his head to swim. He stumbled back and tried to hold on to his sanity. As he lurched away Lady Trista adjusted her head back in place and the wound about her neck closed back as if it never were. She leered at him victoriously as he inched away in incredulity. It was already taxing to injure her as he already had but now to look upon her as she salivated profusely as if she were an unhinged beast was too detrimental.
"Trista." Father Randolph whispered. "Look at what they've reduced you to. My disdainful words have cursed you and brought themselves anew." He soon found his path was blocked as his back pressed against the cold stone of the wall. "Oh how I wish I could take them back so this may seem an illusion to my eye. But I too am cursed by these words for it is I that am on my knees surrendering and praying that I will not die by them. However, I will die in satisfaction if by your hand and you by mine. Besides, I always wanted to free you from your despair. A despair that consumed you to the point where you had forgotten me." He slid against the wall, falling into a sitting position. His blood stained the stone attracting Lady Trista further. "My heart was sore because I was no longer of any use to you. But now I see that my blood sacrifice to you will be of great use. It will finally free your tormented soul." He released his grip on the sword to show her no resistance. The blade clanged to the ground only a few inches from him. "Come to me Trista. Please end this excruciating pain that I suffer."
Lady Trista bounded of the door and landed in front of him. She keeled to level herself with him and stared into his complacent eyes. As he stared back into her eyes he realized that they were vacant. No longer was she there. His words probably didn't even reach her. She was a mere shell of what was left behind of her former existence. But no matter how empty her soul was she still held the same scent that he came to love more than anything. It was something that he craved more than life itself and something that he tortured himself with for countless days and nights. He closed his eyes and allowed himself one last time to drown himself in it.
Lady Trista suddenly snatched back his head by his hair and sunk her fangs deep into his neck. Father Randolph cried out in pain and instinctively made to push her away. The more he struggled the deeper she sunk her teeth into him. She swatted his hand away easily and pinned it against the wall. Father Randolph could feel his life drain from his body. His body grew slack and his breathing grew heavy. In his last bit of strength he glanced towards his sword and reached out for it. She dug her nails into his wrist, hindering his ability to continue on. Determined to free her he snatched up the sword and ran the blade through her back. The blade punctured her heart and drove deep until it punctured his own flesh and plunged into his heart. His hand grew limp and slowly slipped off the hilt of the sword. Lady Trista's teeth feel away from his neck and she slackened into his body. In Father Randolph's last bit of strength he took his hand and gently placed it on her head. Tenderly he kissed the top of her head and rested his cheek against the soft locks of her hair.
"Forgive me Lord for I have sinned. For I have put my love for this woman before you." Father Randolph's voice wavered. His words seeped from his lips in weak intervals. He could feel his life slipping away. Darkness slowly crept into his line of vision as he struggled to look upon the small burning candle near the altar. "Please condemn me and save her soul for she knows not what she's done." When he could no longer see the small flame of the candle and when his body could no longer allow him to keep his eyes open he shut them. He was not afraid of death. He was more than prepared to welcome it. Though it was not how he expected he was still able to die right where he wanted to be, close to Lady Trista's side. A small smile played at the corner of his lips and a slight chuckled escaped from him. It sounded more like an excruciating sigh. "Jizabel was right. We humans are selfish creatures." With his last spoken word his hand slipped from atop Lady Trista's head. He no longer stirred. His body tilted onto the floor.
*I wish we could go back to our time of innocence when we truly knew nothing so that I might hold you close again.*
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